This is an interesting article by Chuck Colson. He speaks of the weakness in evangelical theology to deal with suffering. I agree. I believe most evangelical theology doesn't even have a theology of suffering. It has plenty of answer for suffering but it provides us with very little on how to suffer. As Colson says,
I'm not sure how well the contemporary evangelical world prepares us for this struggle, which I suspect many evangelicals experience but fear to admit because of the expectations we create. At such times, we can turn for strength to older and richer theological traditions probably unfamiliar to many—writings by saints who endured agonies both physical and spiritual.
I've got to get this quote from Colson in as well:
Evangelicals must rely on more than cheerful tunes, easy answers, and happy smiles. We must dig deeply into the church's treasures to find what it is like to worship God, not because of our circumstances, but in spite of them.
What are your thoughts? Have you struggled or suffered and found your theology wanting?
Filed in: theology, evangelicalism
2 comments:
So very true. I have wondered from time to time why this is the case. Is it because evangelicalism has not had to face down any serious challange as orthodoxy has through the centuries? Might it be because evangelicalism is more tied to cultural trends than older, more mainline churches?
Steve,
Suffering is to be viewed as a blessing and the true gospel makes it most clear that such suffering is the lot of a Christian who is really Christ's child, a real Christian.
I Peter 1: 3-9 is a reminder of the blessing and benefit of suffering. The certainty of Christ the Blessed Hope, the certainty of our personal salvation. Suffering confirms our theology as genuine. The fake and carnal man will not be willing to truly suffer for the Gospel. Biblical Theology is repleat with the great hope that comes in suffering. We simply need to get back to teaching the Word of God, it is never lacking. What a glorious thought to suffer for Christ. True Christianity will see suffering as a joy and a privilege. This we must teach and preach.
Gary 4
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